Log splitter and tube bender

ABSTRACT

A portable log-splitting and tube bending apparatus comprising a vertically disposed frame preferably adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, including a pair of splitting or bending elements carried by the frame, one of the elements being generally convex and one of the elements being fixed to the frame and the other element being mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement along the frame toward and away from the other splitting or bending element. When being utilized as a log splitter, one of the splitting elements is a relatively flat log-abutting member disposed normally to the frame and the other splitting element is a wedge-shaped blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to the face of the flat log-abutting member. When being used as a tube bender, one of the bending elements is fixed to the frame and the other element is mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement along the frame toward and away from the other bending element.

[ Dec. 18,1973

United States Patent v[191 Balsbaugh LOG SPLITTER AND TUBE BENDER Attorney-John A. Mawhinney Inventor: Paul H. Balsbaugh, 935 Baker Dr.,

Ripon, Calif. 95366 Oct. 14, 1971 Appl. No.: 189,161

[57] ABSTRACT A portable log-splitting and tube bending apparatus [22] Filed:

comprising a vertically disposed frame preferably adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, including a pair of splitting or bending elements carried by the frame, one of the elements being generally convex and one of the elements being fixed to the frame and the other element being mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement along the frame toward and away from the other splitting or bending element. When being utilized as a log splitter, one of the splitting elements is a relatively flat log-abutting member disposed normally U m4 H mm m "m .HP m S m E m mm mT u" S h eD "c R HM E m & n

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H M- m ill l to the frame and the other splitting element is a wedge-shaped blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to the face of the flat log-abutting member. When being used as a tube bender, one of l44/l93 A 3,285,304 ll/l966 10,858 8/l887 Taplin... 3,640,323 2/1972 Helle........... 3,280,864 lO/l966 Spanenberg FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS the bending elements is fixed to the frame and the other element is mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement along the frame toward and away from the other bending element.

22,143 ll/l893 Great Britain.................. l44/l93 A Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner- 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures W. D Bray PATENTEDUEC18 ms 3.719.295

INVENTOR. PAUL H. BALSBAUGH BY ATTORNEY PATENTEDUHI 18 I975 SHEET 2 OF 4 INVENTOR.

PAUL H. BALSBAUGH Mm arm PATENTEUUEB 1 8 ma 3. 779.295

sum 3 0F 4 mvsmon. PAUL H. BALSBAUGH ATTORNE PATENTED DEC 18 1915 SHEET U 0F 4 W a w 3 m w l 3 O 6 8 w 4 3 4 O 4 3 3 6 3 3 wi... [M I 8 4 3 O 3 a m 2 I J a 6 3 I O a 7 i I. w P K ll. L m. m 3 6 5 4 3 a O 0 4 3 3 6 w 3 8 4 3 ll 1 3 l o 1| 6 III l I 8 m 3 3 FIG.7

INVENTOR. PAUL H. BALSBAUGH ATTORNEY LOG SPLITTER AND TUBE BENDER This invention relates generally to a multi-purpose power-operated log-splitting and tube bending apparatus, and more particularly to a log-splitting apparatus adapted to be also used for bending tubing. More specifically, the log-splitting apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be pivotally secured to a supporting vehicle to enable transport of the splitting apparatus in a generally horizontal position.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable power-operated log-splitting apparatus of relatively simple, inexpensive and sturdy construction which is capable of quickly and easily splitting logs while insuring that the logs being split are maintained in position during initiation of the splitting thereof.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a log-splitting apparatus including a poweroperated double-acting hydraulic ram, operating ina vertical position, for effecting the splitting of logs with a splitting element comprising a wedge-shaped blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to a log-supporting member whereby a log being split is maintained in proper position during the splitting thereof.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a log-splitting apparatus adapted, for example, to be mounted to a transporting trailer or hydraulically operated three-point hitch assembly of a farm or industrial tractor, to facilitate transporting the splitting apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of automatic trip means for effecting return of the double-acting hydraulic ram utilized to effect relative movement of the splitting elements toward and away from one another.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a manually positionable means, carried by the frame of the log-splitting apparatus, for dislodging a partially split log adhering to the relatively movable splitting element of the apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose power-operated tube bending apparatus including a frame means carrying a relatively fixed tube-bending die and a power-operated doubleacting hydraulic ram carried by the frame means for effecting movement of a cooperating tube-bending die toward and away from the relatively fixed die.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which there is illustrated a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, by way of example, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a log-splitting apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention and shown carried by a two-wheeled trailer.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the trailer mounted apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the generally horizontal position of the log-splitting apparatus during transport thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1, shown detached from the transporting vehicle, and provided with means for dislodging partially split logs from a wedge-shaped splitting blade;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the log-splitting apparatus of the present invention provided with trip means for automatically returning the splitting-blade means to a rest position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a logsplitting apparatus similar to that of FIG. 1, which is adapted to be carried and powered by a farm tractor;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention adapted to be utilized as a tube bender; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the device of FIG. 7 showing a modified form of bending dies used therein.

Turning now to the drawings, and FIGS. 1 and 6 in particular, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment 10 of a log-splitting apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention, and shown, in FIG. 1', carried by a two-wheeled trailer 12, and, in FIG. 6, by a farm tractor a portion of which is indicated generally at 14. As may be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the log-splitting apparatus 10 illustrated therein includes a pivotally mounted means illustrated generally at 16, whereby the log-splitting apparatus 10 can be moved from the generally vertical-use position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 to the generally horizontal transporting position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 and in full lines in FIG. 2. The log-splitting apparatus 10 shown carried by the tractor 14 is provided with a mounting means indicated generally at 18, which adapts the log-splitting apparatus 10 for pivotal securement to a conventional three-point hitch comprising lower members 20 and hitch bar 22. Transport of the log-splitting apparatus 10, mounted as in FIG. 6, is effected by pivoting the apparatus 10 about a pair of opposed stub shafts 24 engaged in the hitch members 20 by actuation of the tractor hitch assembly to pivot the hitch bar 22 about the pivot point 26 of the hitch bar actuating lever 28.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the log-splitting apparatus 10 is provided with, as seen best in FIG. 3, a wedge-shaped log-splitting element, or blade, indicated generally at 30, provided with means, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, for urging a log being split into retaining position relative to the frame of the log-splitting apparatus 10. In FIG. 4, another exemplary embodiment 100 of the logsplitting apparatus embodying the present invention is shown provided with a partially split log-dislodging means indicated at generally 110. In FIG. 5, still another exemplary embodiment 200 of the log-splitting apparatus embodying the present invention is shown provided with a trip means, indicated generally at 210, for automatically returning the splitting blade 30 to the rest position illustrated therein. It will be understood that the embodiments 100 and 200 can be secured to a suitable transporting vehicle such as a trailer 12 or tractor 14.

Returning now to the simultaneous consideration of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6, it will be seen that the log-splitting splitting elements which, in the embodiment l illustrated, includes a relatively flat-based element 34 rigidly secured to the lower end of the frame 32, and a second splitting element, which in the embodiment 10, comprises the splitting blade 30, mounted on the frame 32 for reciprocating movement along the frame 32 toward and away from the fixed splitting element 34.

As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 6, the movable splitting element comprising the slitting blade means indicated generally at 30, may be integrally cast with, or secured such as by welding to, a carriage 36 slidably engaged on a track member 38 fixed to the main frame 32, such as by welding, and thus comprising a portion of the main frame means. The splitting blade 30 is reciprocated toward and away from the splitting element 34 by a double-acting hydraulic ram 40 having its upper end pivotally secured as at 42 to the main frame 32 by means of a U-shaped cantilever bracket 44 fixedly secured to the upper end of the main frame 32, such as by welding, for example. The piston rod 46 of the hydraulic ram 40 is pivotally secured to the splitting blade means 30, as at 48, by means of a pin passing through a U-shaped connector 51 secured, such as by welding, to the end of the piston rod 46.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the fixed deforming member comprising a fixed splitter back-up element 34 is disposed normally, i.e., at a right angle to the generally vertical longitudinal axis of the main frame 32, and the downwardly converging wedge-shaped splitting blade 30 is provided with a leading edge, generally indicated at 50, which is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the face 35 of the fixed element 34. More specifically, the leading edge 50 of the deforming member comprising the splitting blade 30 will be seen to be at an oblique angle relative to the generally horizontal face 35 of the fixed element 34, inasmuch as the edge 50 of the slitting blade means 30 is relatively higher adjacent the main frame 32, as at point 52, than the outboard portion of the leading edge as at 54. The oblique configuration of the splitting blade means 30, as aforedescribed, comprises a salient aspect of the present invention, inasmuch as this configuration cooperates to provide a plurality of advantages. For example, it will be appreciated that relatively less power is required to effect splitting of logs inasmuch as the full leading edge 50 of the blade means 30 does not normally engage the end of the log, such as the log 59, in FIG. 6, but enters the log progressively. In addition, and even as significantly, since the outboard point 54 of the leading edge 50 of the blade means 30 is relatively lower than the inboard point 52 thereof, on initial impact of the blade means 30 with a log, the log is urged toward the track member 38 to maintain the log 59 in proper position for completion of the splitting stroke of the blade means 30 toward the fixed splitting element 34 by means of the hydraulic ram 40. As suggested previously, the relative movement of the blade means 30 and element 34 toward and away from one another could be effected by fixing the blade means 50 with the leading edge 50 facing upwardly, to the bottom end of the frame means 32, and securing the splitting element 34 to the carriage 36 for reciprocation thereof by the ram 40. In such instance, it will be understood that the point 54 of the leading edge 50 of the blade means 30 would still be on the outboard side of the frame 32.

With regard to the hydraulic means for actuating the ram 40, it will be understood that with the exception of the automatic trip means 210, shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 7, the now-to-be-described components of the hydraulic system are all conventional components and wherein the hydraulic control valve 56 is mounted on the bracket 58 welded to the main frame 32 at a height that enables an operator to readily manipulate the handle 60 thereof. High pressure lines 62 and 64 connect the control valve 56 to the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the piston of the ram 40 whereby, as is conventional, liquid under pressure, provided through the line 62, will urge the piston rod 46 downwardly, and alternatively, liquid under pressure provided through the line 64 will urge the piston rod 46 upwardly.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6, the lever 60 is manually actuated to both move the piston rod 46 downwardly and upwardly. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter with regard to the embodiment 200 of FIG. 5, and the embodiment 300 of FIG. 7, the means 210 is provided to automatically effect return of the splitter blade means 32 to the position shown therein, by semiautomatically actuating the control lever 60 of the control valve 56 which, in FIG. 5, is now sitting in a position upside down relative to that shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6.

As seen in FIGS. 1 3, high-pressure fluid is supplied to the control valve 56 by hydraulic pump means powered by the output shaft of a suitable motor such as the gasoline engine indicated generally at 72. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, fluid under pressure is supplied to the control valve 56 by hydraulic pump means 74 driven by a power takeoff shaft of the tractor 14. As indicated heretofore, it will be understood that the pump and pump driver means for supplying fluid under pressure to the control valve 56 is merely conventional. Further, bypass fluid from the control valve 56 is cycled back to the hydraulic pumps 70 or 72 by hydraulic return line 74 which communicates with the interior of the tubular main frame 32, thus providing a convenient reservoir for hydraulic fluid without requiring an auxiliary tank. It will thus be seen that the line 76 leading from the bottom of the frame 32 leads to the intake of the hydraulic pumps 70 or 72 and high-pressure fluid from the pump to the control valve 56 is supplied by pump discharge line 78. As best seen in FIG. 6, adjacent the upper end thereof, the main frame 32 is provided with a filler pipe, such as comprises an elbow 80, for introducing hydraulic fluid into the reservoir provided by the main frame 32.

Although the operation of the embodiment of the splitting apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 4 and 6 will be readily understood from the foregoing, it will be more specifically seen that in order to utilize the logsplitting apparatus of the present invention, upon arrival of the apparatus at the site of a wood lot, the main frame 32 is pivoted to a vertical position manually, such as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 3 and by means of the power and take-off controls of a three-point hitch, as in the embodiment of FIG. 6. It is then merely necessary to provide power to the hydraulic pumps 70 or 72, respectively, so that by placement of a log on the fixed splitter element 34, which, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, is preferably provided with a plurality of pins, or teeth, 84 welded to the upper face of the element 34 to assist in preventing the bottom of the log from kicking outwardly of the plate 34. The control valve 60 is then manipulated to introduce fluid under pressure into the top of the ram through the line 62, thereby urging the ram downwardly, whereupon the progressively entering splitter blade means 30 is urged downwardly through the log, splitting the same, and stopping just short of the fixed member 34. Generally, the aforedescribed movement of the splittler blade 30 completely splits the log, such as log 59, which falls laterally onto the ground. However, should a particularly random fibered log be encountered and the log remain lodged on the splitter blade means, 30 at the completion of the downward stroke thereof, as seen best in FIG. 4, the log dislodging means 110 is manually brought into play to effect dislodgment of the log from the blade means 30 on the upward stroke of the ram piston rod 46. In FIG. 4 it will be'seen that the means 110 comprises a rigid steel bar 112 pivotally secured as at 114 to the main frame 23 and normally retained in the full-line position by two cooperating apertured members 116, one welded to the main frame 32 and the other welded to the bar 112 whereby with the use of a pin 118, which may be loosely chained to the main frame 32, the bar 112 can be maintained in the non-use position shown in full lines. To effect dislodgment of a log wedged on the splitterblade 30 it is merely necessary to remove the pin 1 l8 and manually swing the bar 1 12 to the plantom-line position whereby, upon actuation of the control valve 56 to move the hydraulic ram piston 46 upwardly, the ascending log wedged on the splitter blade means 30 will encounter the lower end 120 of the rod 112 thereby forcing the log off the splitter blade 30, as depicted by the phantom-line split log 59 in FIG. 4.

Turning now to the semi-automatic actuating means of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 7, it will be seen that the hydraulic control valve 56 thereof includes a reciprocating valve control member 57 which is reciprocated by movement of the associated lever 60 about a pivot 59 provided by link 61 secured to the body of the valve 56. The automatic trip means 210 further includes a valve handle actuator rod 212 slidably journaled to the main frame 32 by a tubular guide 214. The upper end of the rod 212 is bifurcated and pivotally pinned to the actuator lever 60 as at 63. The carriage 36 of the splitter blade means 30 is provided with a ring 216 slidably engaged about the rod 212. The ring 216 comprises an actuator abutment for contacting sleeves 218 and 220 secured to the rod 212. Accordingly, upon upward movement of the lever 60 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 the ram 40 moves the splitter blade means 30 downwardly carrying the abutment member 216 downwardly therewith until the member 216 contacts and urges downwardly the lower member 220 thereby shifting the control lever 60 and reversing fluid flow to the ram 40 to urge the cutter blade means 30 or tube bender means upwardly.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, a helical spring 222 may be placed about the rod 212 above the abutment 220 to cushion the impact of the member 216 against the member 220. Because of the fact that it is not desirable to continue cycling the splitter blade means 30, for obvious reasons of operator safety, as the abutment memher 216 contacts, and carries upwardly, the rod 212 by virtue of its abutment with the member 218, the control lever 60 is moved into a neutral position, whereby the splitter blade means 32 comes to rest. To recycle the splitter blade means 30 or tube bender means 330-it is merely necessary to again move the control lever 60 upwardly, at which point it may be released and the splitter blade means 30 or tube bender means 330 will move through a splitting cycle and recycle to the rest position as aforedescribed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the dislodging means and semi-automatic cycling means 210 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 also may be readily provided on the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 3 and 6.

Turning now to a further discussion of the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 7, it will be seen that the portable frame means of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6 is adapted for the bending of tubing, or the like, by modification of the rigidly secured and reciprocating members carried by the frame means. Thus, it will be seen that the portable tube bending embodiment 300 of the invention comprises a frame means 332 for supporting a pair of relatively movable tube bending die members 330 and 331. The portable tube bending embodiment 300 may be supported for transportation as are the previously discussed embodiments, or, as shown, may be supported so as to be free standing, such as by provision of a generally tripod stand 314 which is fastened, as at 316, to the frame means 332 in a manner analogous to the securement of the embodiment 10 to the hitch means of the tractor 14. The frame means 332 is provided with a doubleacting hydraulic ram means 340 secured as at 342 by means of a U-shaped cantilever bracket 344 fixedly secured to the upper end of the main frame 332.

The piston rod 346 of the hydraulic ram 340 is pivotally secured, as at 348, to a relatively movable carrier for a deforming member comprising a tube bending die means 330 which is slidably mounted for reciprocating movement by being interchangeably secured to the carriage 336 which is slidably engaged upon a track member 338 fixed to the main frame 332. The fixed deforming element indicated generally at 331, which in the embodiment shown rests upon a deforming element base 333 which in turn rests upon the fixed member 335. In addition, the base member 333 may be bolted to the track member 338. As illustrated, the embodiment 300 of FIG. 7 is shown provided with a relatively fixed deforming element 331 including a pair of horizontally spaced-apart U-shaped die members 337 supported for limited pivotal movement in a carrier 339 by means of pivot bolts 341. It will thus be seen that a pipe, or the like, to be arcuately deformed, is transversely placed across, and in, the die members 337 and the hydraulic control means 343 actuated to move the U-shaped generally convex upper die member 330 into engagement with the pipe, whereby the pipe is arcuately deformed.

Turning now to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the relatively fixed and movable deforming elements may be readily interchanged, not only with the splitting deforming elements, but with tube, bar stock, etc. deforming elements. Thus, in FIG. 8 it will be seen that relatively fixed deforming members 337 are shown, schematically, replaced by a V-notched die member 337' and relatively movable die member 330 shown replaced by an arcuate or V-shaped die member 330. It will be understood that the die member 330' is normally removably pinned to the carrier member 336 and the phantom lines in FIG. 8 illustrate the alignment of the several elements. Although not shown, the die elements 337 could be replaced, for example, with a pair of roller dies having concave annular grooves therein. While not specifically shown, it will nevertheless be appreeiated that the semi-automatic actuating means 210 shown may be provided on all embodiments of devices constructed in accordance with the present invention.

It has thus been disclosed in the above description and the drawings exemplary embodiments of the invention which fully and effectively accomplish the objectives thereof. Whereas, it will be apparent that variations in the details of construction may be effected without departing from the invention herein described, within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable article deforming apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first deforming element generally rigidly secured to said frame, a second deforming element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a generally convex deforming member and the other element comprising a backup member for an article being deformed, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said frame being provided with a track member for slidably carrying one of said deforming elements mounted on a carriage means slidable on said track member, said carriage means being provided with means for readily interchanging said second deforming member to permit selective utilization of said second deforming elements of varying configurations, wherein said frame having a generally tripod stand means for stabilizing said frame in said normally vertical position.

2. A portable article deforming apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first deforming element generally rigidly secured to said frame, a second deforming element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a generally convex deforming member and the other element comprising a backup member for an article being deformed, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said frame being provided with a track member for slidably carrying one of said deforming elements mounted on a carriage means slidable on said track member, said carriage means being provided with means for readily interchanging said second deforming member to permit selective utilization of said second deforming elements of varying configurations, means for effecting at least semiautomatic actuation of the valve means to move said second deforming element away from said first deforming element at the completion of the travel of said second deforming element toward said first deforming element.

3. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a wedgeshaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a poweroperated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, said first splitting element being rigidly secured to said frame comprises said relatively flat log-abutting member and said second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame comprises said splitting blade, and means carried by said frame for effecting dislodgement of a partially split log from said splitting blade.

4. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a wedgeshaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a poweroperated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, and means for effecting at least semi-automatic actuation of the valve means to move said one splitting element away from said other splitting element at the completion of the travel of said first splitting element toward said second splitting element.

5. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a wedge shaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a poweroperated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, said frame comprising a tubular member constituting a reservoir for operating fluid to be supplied to said dual acting fluid motor.

6. A portable article deforming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are secured to said vertically disposed frame for mounting said frame to the hitch means of a tractor.

7. A log splitting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the leading edge of said wedge-shaped splitting blade is narrow and sharp, said blade is mounted for vertical movement toward and away from a log positioned on said flat log-abutting member and having its leading edge lowermost so that upon movements of the blade towards the log the sharp leading edge of the blade will contact the log first and the leading edge of the blade will become locked in the log and keep the log from slipping when the rest of the blade goes through the log. 

1. A portable article deforming apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first deforming element generally rigidly secured to said frame, a second deforming element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a generally convex deforming member and the other element comprising a backup member for an article being deformed, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a poweroperated pump means, said frame being provided with a track member for slidably carrying one of said deforming elements mounted on a carriage means slidable on said track member, said carriage means being provided with means for readily interchanging said second deforming member to permit selective utilization of said second dEforming elements of varying configurations, wherein said frame having a generally tripod stand means for stabilizing said frame in said normally vertical position.
 2. A portable article deforming apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first deforming element generally rigidly secured to said frame, a second deforming element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a generally convex deforming member and the other element comprising a backup member for an article being deformed, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said frame being provided with a track member for slidably carrying one of said deforming elements mounted on a carriage means slidable on said track member, said carriage means being provided with means for readily interchanging said second deforming member to permit selective utilization of said second deforming elements of varying configurations, means for effecting at least semi-automatic actuation of the valve means to move said second deforming element away from said first deforming element at the completion of the travel of said second deforming element toward said first deforming element.
 3. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a wedge-shaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, said first splitting element being rigidly secured to said frame comprises said relatively flat log-abutting member and said second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame comprises said splitting blade, and means carried by said frame for effecting dislodgement of a partially split log from said splitting blade.
 4. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first element, one of said elements comprising a wedge-shaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, and means for effecting at least semi-automatic actuation of the valve means to move said one splitting element away from said other splitting element at the completion of the travel of said first splitting element toward said second splitting element.
 5. A log splitting apparatus comprising a normally generally vertically disposed frame, a first splitting element rigidly secured to said frame, a second splitting element mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement along said frame toward and away from said first elemeNt, one of said elements comprising a wedge-shaped splitting blade and the other element having a relatively flat log-abutting face disposed generally normally to said frame, a dual acting fluid motor for reciprocating one of said elements, a valve means for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and from said fluid motor, said valve means being adapted to be provided with fluid under pressure from a power-operated pump means, said splitting blade having a leading edge at an oblique angle relative to said relatively flat log-abutting face, said frame comprising a tubular member constituting a reservoir for operating fluid to be supplied to said dual acting fluid motor.
 6. A portable article deforming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are secured to said vertically disposed frame for mounting said frame to the hitch means of a tractor.
 7. A log splitting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the leading edge of said wedge-shaped splitting blade is narrow and sharp, said blade is mounted for vertical movement toward and away from a log positioned on said flat log-abutting member and having its leading edge lowermost so that upon movements of the blade towards the log the sharp leading edge of the blade will contact the log first and the leading edge of the blade will become locked in the log and keep the log from slipping when the rest of the blade goes through the log. 